In August 2011, the nation marks anew the passing of two great Filipinos—Ninoy and Cory Aquino—who dedicated their lives to the service of democracy and the Filipino people.

To honor their memory and legacy, the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF) and the Ortigas Foundation (OF), in partnership with Ang Illustrador ng Kabataan (Ang InK), will launch a month-long art exhibit, entitled “Your Heart Today: Ninoy & Cory In Art”, on August 3, 2011, 6:00 p.m. at the Ortigas Foundation Library inside the Ortigas Building, at the corner of Ortigas and Meralco Avenues in Pasig City.

“Ninoy and Cory Aquino are indelibly etched into our history, a history we can be proud of and, more importantly, learn from.” stated Rowell L. Recinto, OF trustee. “The Ortigas Foundation promotes the study of history and culture precisely for the youth to learn about the sacrifices our heroes had to make to enable the country to move forward.” “We all need to reaffirm our responsibilities to our country and share our vision for the future—a future that builds on the Ninoy and Cory legacy”.

Toward this end, Ang InK invited member artists to interpret quotations from the speeches, prayers and other works of Ninoy and Cory Aquino, using different media. Featured in the exhibition will be 36 art pieces, which are available for sale.

“It is through the artists’ eyes that we hope to capture the essence of the ideas, reflections and sentiments of our two modern-day heroes and to convert them into visual forms that speak to young people today,” said Zeus Bascon, directorial board member of Ang InK. "The process involved in making the artworks pushed us to realize even further our own share of responsibility toward our countrymen today and in the years to come."

“Your Heart Today: Ninoy & Cory In Art” will be open to the public up to September 3, 2011. Proceeds from exhibit sales will help support the programs of Ang Ink and the Ortigas Foundation, as well as the iamninoy-iamcory movement.

The organizers have lined up two other activities, aligned with the exhibit.

On Saturday, August 6, Mr. Huber Fucio, illustrator of “Si Pagong at Si Matsing” and winner of the Alcala Grand Prize given by the Philippine Board on Books for Young People in 2003, will facilitate a children’s book-making workshop from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Ortigas Foundation Library. Participants will learn how to draw and make their own stories by creating effective characters and narratives. Registration fee is PhP300.00. To register, interested parties may call 631 1231 locals 222, 228 or 894-1343 .

On Friday, August 19, 2011, a panel discussion, entitled “Arts in Revolution: Conversations on the Artists’ Role in EDSA” will be held at the Ortigas Foundation Library, starting at 4:30 p.m. Three resource persons will speak on the important role that art and music played during the Martial Law era and in the build-up to the EDSA People Power Revolution. Key speakers for the event: are Ms. Leah Navarro, singer, stage performer and civil society leader; Dr. Jerry Respeto, Ateneo de Manila University professor and theater director-historian; and Prof. Edru Abraham, Jr., founder of Kontemporaryong Gamelang Pilipino (Kontra-Gapi).

The discussion aims to reintroduce the values of People Power and to promote appreciation of the power of culture in initiating positive change on the personal, school, community or national level. Interested parties may register by calling 894-1343 or 892-2950.

“We have been closely interfacing with the youth in recent years through the iamninoy-iamcory movement, which seeks to surface new forms of heroism among Generation Y,” explained Mr. Rafael C. Lopa, NCAF president and executive director. “We have constantly been amazed at the dynamism, creativity and energy of young Filipinos in coming up with new ways to be of service to the community. I have no doubt that, along these lines, they will embrace cultural avenues with the same enthusiasm. The legacy of People Power is secure in their young hands.”